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Evaluation of a combined school-based vision screening and mobile clinic program
Kendall Kruszewski1, Carolyn May1, Evan Silverstein1
1Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
Summary
A school-based mobile clinic providing vision screenings, eye exams, and free glasses improved access to eye care for underserved children. This program successfully connected students with necessary vision services, addressing poor follow-up rates after initial screenings.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatric Eye Care
Background:
- Effective pediatric vision screening necessitates follow-up care, yet studies show low rates of follow-up after failed screenings.
- Previous interventions included free eye exams and glasses, but this study evaluated a novel mobile clinic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of an in-school mobile clinic program in providing vision screening, eye examinations, and corrective eyewear to students.
- To determine the impact of the program on addressing vision issues in vulnerable student populations.
Main Methods:
- A nonprofit organization conducted instrument-based vision screening and noncycloplegic eye examinations in schools from 2018 to 2021.
- Retrospective review of deidentified screening and clinic data, correlated with school demographic information from the Virginia Department of Education.
Main Results:
- In the 2019-2020 school year, 30.3% of 14,006 screened students were referred; referral rates positively correlated with the percentage of economically disadvantaged students (R² = 0.406).
- The mobile clinic examined 3,095 students, prescribing glasses to 72.9% and referring 16.3% for further treatment. Diagnoses included cataracts, nystagmus, amblyopia, and strabismus.
Conclusions:
- A combined school-based screening and mobile clinic model effectively delivers eye care to vulnerable populations.
- This integrated approach can serve as a crucial pipeline for addressing unmet vision needs in children.
